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AN INFLUX of school children to the Mackay district has led to more buildings and staff for schools this year.

Education Queensland (EQ) central Queensland regional director Wayne Butler said three schools, including Eimeo Road State School and Moranbah East Primary School, had had extra classrooms built for the new school year.

"We've added new classrooms because of the growth in student numbers in the region," Mr Butler said.

"But there's been reasonable growth across the whole region in both the primary and secondary schools.

"We've got 15 new teachers over both primary and secondary schools in the district."

Classrooms have proposed sizes that range from 25-28 students in both primary and high school classes he said.

"We also opened four new childhood centres yesterday on school grounds," he said.

"These centres have opened at Sarina State School, Eimeo Road State School, Mackay North State School and Marian State School.

"There's already a high occupancy rate within childhood centres, which is why we've built the new ones."

The introduction of Year 7 into high schools would start next year he said.

"Mackay Northern Beaches High School will run the pilot next year and in 2014," Mr Butler said.

"This year will be used as a planning year in preparation for next year.

"The planning will inform schools of the best practice models to use and this will shape how the individual school approaches it," Mr Butler said.

Meanwhile, Victoria Park State School Prep teacher Melanie Doyle said her students may have had a few initial tears but they soon settled in for the day.

"I'm really pleased with how the day went," Miss Doyle said.

"I've got a class of 26 students.

"Yesterday they painted, played with blocks and performed an obstacle course."

Miss Doyle said there had been lots of professional development in the lead-up to the new curriculum.

"It begins today," she said.

Eimeo Road State School student Abbey Landt was ready to start Year 1 yesterday, her dad Mathew Landt said.

"This (yesterday) morning she was a bit nervous and she didn't say much," Mr Landt said.

"But she was very excited once she saw she was sitting next to one of her best friends in the classroom.

"She's keen to read more as well. But her mum's missing her already."

Reader poll

Are you glad Mackay children are back at school?

This poll ended on 23 February 2012.

Yes - 91%

No - 8%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.